Advanced Plus Security porkpiehat's Security Config 2021

[porkpiehat]

well, here it is... any tweaks, etc welcomed..

 

[ForgottenSeer 85179]

Why using less secure Firefox for banking instead of Edge?

UAC on maximum is also recommend.

 

[harlan4096]

I see here overkill in real-time :

Comodo Firewall (Cruel settings)
Qihoo 360 TS
WiseVector StopX

A Full Image System BackUp solution would be welcome in Device recovery & settings.

Thanks for sharing

 

[porkpiehat]

Why using less secure Firefox for banking instead of Edge?

UAC on maximum is also recommend.

simply because it ticks all the Cloudflare ESNI test boxes..

 

[porkpiehat]

I see here overkill in real-time :

belt n braces...

 

[ForgottenSeer 85179]

simply because it ticks all the Cloudflare ESNI test boxes..

You know what this doesn't increase your security?!
eSNI increase privacy but only works if client and server supports it.

 

[porkpiehat]

so, Firefox/ Cloudflare DoH is not a secure option?

 

[ForgottenSeer 85179]

so, Firefox/ Cloudflare DoH is not a secure option?

As I say. eSNI doesn't increase security and only increase privacy if website server support it which is very rare.
Also eSNI is still only a draft.

DoQ is a better solution.

 

[porkpiehat]

As I say. eSNI doesn't increase security and only increase privacy if website server support it which is very rare.
Also eSNI is still only a draft.

DoQ is a better solution.

but that's only with AdGuard atm, so I believe..

 

[ForgottenSeer 85179]

but that's only with AdGuard atm, so I believe..

Right. We need to wait.

 

[Lightning_Brian]

@harlan4096 makes a very strong point - you should have a backup solution @porkpiehat ! In my humble opinion: Everyone should have a backup solution no matter what. Manual backup is 'ehhh ok' vs a full-blown solution. I'll keep this short:

If you ever experience a backup failure after one of your manual backups doesn't contain all of the files, settings, etc, etc. that you need it will feel as though you just got hit with a ton of bricks. I got stung once before (like you a believer that the manual backups would work) and I have changed all of that up. Now you don't need to go above and beyond in the backup department like me, but I'd like to make a few recommendations to you - if I can.

• AOMEI Backupper - Simple, Easy, Robust Features - Free Version! Have a look around here at MT and see how many folks are using this. I highly recommend this software. I went for the Premium versions myself as I could use the premium features. However, most folks can get away with the free version and have more features in the free version of this tool compared to most paid solutions out there with some exceptions to certain tools of course.
  • Link: Free Backup Software for Windows 10/8/7 - AOMEI Backupper Standard
• Macrium Reflect is another free backup software that comes highly recommended not only by myself but by others on MT. Again, don't take my word for it at all.
  • Link: Macrium Reflect Free
  • While at it have a look at the cool viBoot features offered by Macrium. Link: Macrium viBoot

I say try both of these out and see which one you like better. Both are very solid and if you have questions on how to use the software we have lots of folks here on MT that can surely help you. I'd be happy to help myself! Just hit me up. Plus, there is tons of info out there about both programs. Some great user documentation too.

Hope this helps you and encourages you to re-evaluate a backup solution. Your world will be changed once you have a backup solution in place.

~Brian

 

[porkpiehat]

@harlan4096 makes a very strong point - you should have a backup solution @porkpiehat ! In my humble opinion: Everyone should have a backup solution no matter what. Manual backup is 'ehhh ok' vs a full-blown solution. I'll keep this short:

If you ever experience a backup failure after one of your manual backups doesn't contain all of the files, settings, etc, etc. that you need it will feel as though you just got hit with a ton of bricks. I got stung once before (like you a believer that the manual backups would work) and I have changed all of that up. Now you don't need to go above and beyond in the backup department like me, but I'd like to make a few recommendations to you - if I can.

• AOMEI Backupper - Simple, Easy, Robust Features - Free Version! Have a look around here at MT and see how many folks are using this. I highly recommend this software. I went for the Premium versions myself as I could use the premium features. However, most folks can get away with the free version and have more features in the free version of this tool compared to most paid solutions out there with some exceptions to certain tools of course.
  • Link: Free Backup Software for Windows 10/8/7 - AOMEI Backupper Standard
• Macrium Reflect is another free backup software that comes highly recommended not only by myself but by others on MT. Again, don't take my word for it at all.
  • Link: Macrium Reflect Free
  • While at it have a look at the cool viBoot features offered by Macrium. Link: Macrium viBoot

I say try both of these out and see which one you like better. Both are very solid and if you have questions on how to use the software we have lots of folks here on MT that can surely help you. I'd be happy to help myself! Just hit me up. Plus, there is tons of info out there about both programs. Some great user documentation too.

Hope this helps you and encourages you to re-evaluate a backup solution. Your world will be changed once you have a backup solution in place.

~Brian

TBH, I've been interested in those for a while... just never got around to picking one, but viBoot sounds REALLY interesting

 

[upnorth]

Good backup software recommendations @Lightning_Brian . Here's another one.

Acronis True Image WD Edition Software 2020

Was searching for some tools for one of my Western Digital drives, when I suddenly stumbled over this little beauty. Not really the latest version, but it's 100% Free for all Western Digital customers. Windows 7 SP1 (all editions) Windows 8 (all editions) Windows 8.1 (all editions) Windows 10...

malwaretips.com

 

[Lightning_Brian]

@upnorth Good software that I would highly recommend too! I use Acronis True Image (paid as I like the paid features myself). I have been using Acronis True Image for quite some time now.

@porkpiehat You should give one a try. Test it out and see if you like it. If you don't move to another one. If you like one test another until you find your main steady and stick with that software.

Also, have a look at this one buddy: Unlimited Giveaway - Acronis True Image 2017 BootCD

~Brian

 

[Kongo]

Private Internet Access got acquired by Kape technologies. I personally wouldn't recommend using it anymore.

Strange Ties: Private Internet Access, Kape, and Crossrider

What does a company with a history of producing malware have to do with a VPN service that offers privacy and security? Read this to find out.

restoreprivacy.com

 

[Lightning_Brian]

Private Internet Access got acquired by Kape technologies. I personally wouldn't recommend using it anymore.

Strange Ties: Private Internet Access, Kape, and Crossrider

What does a company with a history of producing malware have to do with a VPN service that offers privacy and security? Read this to find out.

restoreprivacy.com

OoO! Excellent point here @SecureKongo . I have lots of friends and co-workers jumping off PIA super fast. I can second what you said in not recommending it to anyone any more.

May I recommend a few different VPNs for ya' @porkpiehat ?

• Windscribe - I use this VPN personally - some seriously cool features that they have that other VPNs don't necessarily have
  • Link: Windscribe
• ExpressVPN - from my knowledge still is a good VPN service - gets lots of rave reviews and Editor Choice Awards from many big names out there in the world of tech
  • High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service | ExpressVPN

Hope this helps. Good catch there and glad you brought it up @SecureKongo!

~Brian

 

[porkpiehat]

OoO! Excellent point here @SecureKongo . I have lots of friends and co-workers jumping off PIA super fast. I can second what you said in not recommending it to anyone any more.

May I recommend a few different VPNs for ya' @porkpiehat ?

• Windscribe - I use this VPN personally - some seriously cool features that they have that other VPNs don't necessarily have
  • Link: Windscribe
• ExpressVPN - from my knowledge still is a good VPN service - gets lots of rave reviews and Editor Choice Awards from many big names out there in the world of tech
  • High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service | ExpressVPN

Hope this helps. Good catch there and glad you brought it up @SecureKongo!

~Brian

yes, there are some big hitters in the VPN market.... maybe it's time to delve a little deeper.

 

[Kongo]

I would switch from Cloudflare to NextDNS within Firefox. Cloudflare won't detect it as encrypted DNS anymore, but it still is. You might also want to add some about:config tweaks: Web Browsers | PrivacyTools for increased privacy and slightly increased security.

 

[Thales]

Pick up a backup software and later you can pick another one if you want, just make sure you always have installed one of those miracle

 

[porkpiehat]

added AOMEIBackupper....
Acronis True Image WD Edition.